U.S. patent number 5,857,765 [Application Number 08/754,864] was granted by the patent office on 1999-01-12 for lighting fixture.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Progress Lighting. Invention is credited to Ivo O. Deron.
United States Patent |
5,857,765 |
Deron |
January 12, 1999 |
Lighting fixture
Abstract
A lighting fixture includes a vertical center column, at least
one light element operatively attached to the center column, and a
plurality of vertical panes. An attachment mechanism is configured
to attach the panes to the center column so that the panes, when
attached to the center column, extend radially outward from the
center column and so that the panes are releasably detachable from
the center column outside the center column.
Inventors: |
Deron; Ivo O. (Inman, SC) |
Assignee: |
Progress Lighting (Spartanburg,
SC)
|
Family
ID: |
25036697 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/754,864 |
Filed: |
November 22, 1996 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/249.01;
362/367; 362/405; 362/249.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S
8/065 (20130101); F21V 1/08 (20130101); F21V
17/102 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F21S
8/06 (20060101); F21S 8/04 (20060101); F21V
1/08 (20060101); F21V 17/10 (20060101); F21V
1/00 (20060101); F21V 17/00 (20060101); F21V
005/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;D26/35,36,125,126,72,80-92 ;362/367,404,405,406,249,252 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Thomas, Beautiful American Lighting by Design catalog, p. 62, 1983.
.
Manning Contemporary, p. A5, Aug. 1975..
|
Primary Examiner: Sember; Thomas M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Dority & Manning, P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to attach said panes to said
center column so that said panes, when attached to said center
column, extend radially outward from said center column and so that
said panes are releasably detachable from said center column
outside said center column.
2. The lighting fixture as in claim 1, wherein said panes are
constructed at least partially from glass.
3. The lighting fixture as in claim 1, wherein each said pane
includes a frame at least partially enclosing said pane.
4. The lighting fixture as in claim 1, wherein said panes are
constructed at least partially from plastic.
5. The lighting fixture as in claim 1, wherein each said pane is of
an elongated planar shape.
6. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes at least one pin
extending from each said pane.
7. The lighting fixture as in claim 6, wherein at least one said
pin from each said pane is received directly by said center
column.
8. The lighting fixture as in claim 6, wherein said at least one
pin is constructed integrally with its respective said pane.
9. The lighting fixture as in claim 6, wherein each said pane
includes a frame extending at least partially about the edges
thereof, and wherein said at least one pin is attached to said
frame.
10. The lighting fixture as in claim 7, wherein said pin received
directly by said center column includes a first section extending
radially into said center column and an angular second section
attached to the end of said first section opposite said center
column.
11. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes an annular cap attached
to said center column proximate a lower vertical end thereof and
extending at least partially about said center column, said cap
configured to receive each said pane.
12. The lighting fixture as in claim 11, wherein each said pane
includes a vertical pin extending downward from said pane and
wherein said annular cap is configured to receive said pins.
13. The lighting fixture as in claim 11, wherein said annular cap
includes a plurality of upwardly extending pins and wherein each
said pane is configured to receive a said pin to at least partially
secure said pane to said center column.
14. The lighting fixture as in claim 11, wherein said annular cap
includes a plurality of radial grooves, each said groove configured
to receive a respective said pane.
15. The lighting fixture as in claim 11, wherein said annular cap
includes a plurality of brackets, each said bracket configured to
receive a respective said pane.
16. The lighting fixture as in claim 11, wherein said annular cap
includes an annular rim extending above an upper surface thereof,
said annular rim including a plurality of notches, each said notch
configured to receive a respective said pane.
17. The lighting fixture as in claim 16, wherein said annular rim
extends circumferentially about said annular cap.
18. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes an annular cap attached
to said center column proximate an upper vertical end thereof and
extending at least partially about said center column, said cap
configured to receive each said pane.
19. The lighting fixture as in claim 18, wherein each said pane
includes an upward vertical pin and said annular cap is configured
to receive said pins.
20. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes a plurality of brackets
attached to said center column and extending radially outward
therefrom, each said bracket configured to receive a said pane.
21. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes at least one pin
extending from each said pane and a plurality of brackets attached
to said center column and extending radially outward therefrom,
wherein said center column is configured to receive each said pin
from a respective said pane to provide vertical support for said
pane and wherein each said bracket is configured to receive a said
pane to provide lateral support for said pane.
22. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
an attachment mechanism configured to removably attach said panes
to said center column so that said panes, when attached to said
center column, extend radially outward from said center column,
wherein said attachment mechanism includes a plurality of
longitudinal vertical grooves defined in said center column, each
said groove configured to receive an edge of a respective said
pane.
23. The lighting fixture as in claim 1, including at least one said
light element disposed between each pair of adjacent said
panes.
24. The lighting fixture as in claim 18, wherein said cap includes
a ring for receipt of a mechanism for suspending said lighting
fixture.
25. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
a plurality of vertical planar panes;
an annular bottom cap attached to said center column proximate a
lower vertical end thereof and extending at least partially about
said center column, said bottom cap configured to removably receive
each said pane to at least partially vertically and horizontally
secure said pane to said center column; and
a plurality of light elements operatively connected to said center
column and individually disposed between adjacent said panes.
26. The lighting fixture as in claim 25, including an upper
attachment mechanism configured to at least partially horizontally
secure said pane to said center column above said bottom cap.
27. The lighting fixture as in claim 25, wherein said bottom cap
includes an annular rim extending above an upper surface thereof,
said annular rim including a plurality of notches, each said notch
configured to receive a respective said pane.
28. The lighting fixture as in claim 25, wherein said bottom cap
includes a plurality of radial grooves, each said groove configured
to receive a respective said pane.
29. The lighting fixture as in claim 25, wherein said bottom cap
includes a plurality of brackets, each said bracket configured to
receive a respective said pane.
30. The lighting fixture as in claim 25, wherein each said pane
includes a vertical pin extending downward from said pane and
wherein said bottom cap is configured to receive said pins.
31. The lighting fixture as in claim 26, wherein said upper
attachment mechanism includes a plurality of longitudinal vertical
grooves defined in said center column, each said groove configured
to receive an edge of a respective said pane.
32. The lighting fixture as in claim 26, wherein said upper
attachment mechanism includes a plurality of brackets attached to
said center column and extending radially outward therefrom, each
said bracket configured to receive a respective said pane.
33. The lighting fixture as in claim 26, wherein said upper
attachment mechanism includes an annular upper cap attached to said
center column proximate an upper vertical end thereof and extending
at least partially about said center column, said cap configured to
receive each said pane.
34. The lighting fixture as in claim 33, wherein each said pane
includes an upward vertical pin and said upper cap is configured to
receive said pins.
35. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
a plurality of vertical planar panes, each said pane including a
first vertical pin extending downward from said pane and a second
vertical pin extending upward from said pane;
an annular bottom cap attached to said center column proximate a
lower vertical end thereof and extending at least partially about
said center column;
an annular upper cap attached to said center column proximate an
upper vertical end thereof and extending at least partially about
said center column;
said bottom cap being configured to receive said first pins of said
panes and said upper cap being configured to receive said second
pins of said panes so that said panes are secured to said center
column by said bottom cap and said upper cap; and
a plurality of light elements operatively connected to said center
column and individually disposed between adjacent said panes.
36. A lighting fixture, said lighting fixture comprising:
a vertical center column;
at least one light element operatively attached to said center
column;
a plurality of vertical panes; and
means for attaching said panes to said center column so that said
panes, when attached to said center column, extend radially outward
from said center column and are releasably detachable from said
center column outside said center column.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lighting fixtures, particularly of
the type suspended from a cable or chain and used, for example, for
hallways and foyers. More particularly, the invention relates to
improvements in mounting panes of such lighting fixtures.
Light fixtures, for example such as are frequently suspended in
halls and foyers, often include planar shaped panes. Typically,
these panes circumferentially surround the center column of the
fixture, creating a substantially enclosed structure. The fixtures
generally include arms or other structures extending from the
center column to secure the panes in their circumferential
positions. The fixtures tend to be bulky and are typically shipped
in their finally constructed form. Thus, they must be shipped in
relatively large containers, resulting in relatively large shipping
costs compared to the amount and weight of materials included in
the fixture.
Additionally, the interior surfaces of panes permanently mounted in
the fixture are difficult to clean. While fixtures have been
constructed so that the circumferential panes hook onto support
arms extending from the center column, thus permitting their
removal for cleaning, the structure of the fixture still requires
relatively large shipping containers. Similarly, while fixtures
have been constructed having permanently attached panes extending
radially from the center column, such fixtures generally require
relatively large shipping containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing
disadvantages, and others, of prior art construction and
methods.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved lighting fixture.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved lighting fixture having removable panes.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an
improved lighting fixture having removable panes which may be
attached to a center column so that the panes extend radially from
the center column.
Some of these objects are achieved by a lighting fixture including
a vertical center column, at least one light element operatively
attached to the center column, and a plurality of vertical panes.
The lighting fixture also includes an attachment mechanism
configured to removably attach the panes to the center column so
that the panes, when attached to the center column, extend radially
outward from the center column.
In a preferred embodiment, the lighting fixture includes a bottom
cap attached to the center column proximate the lower vertical end
thereof. Each pane rests on the bottom cap so that the panes are
vertically supported. The bottom cap may have structures to
additionally retain the panes. For example, the bottom cap may
include radial grooves, notches or brackets to prevent the panes
from rotational movement with respect to the center column.
Furthermore, holes may be provided in the bottom cap to receive a
downward vertical pin extending from each pane to prevent the
bottom of each pane from undesirably sliding out from the fixture.
Alternatively, the bottom cap may include upward vertical pins to
be received by a hole in the pane.
The fixture may also include an upper attachment mechanism to
maintain a horizontal position of the panes. For example,
longitudinal grooves may be provided in the center column to
receive the panes. An upper cap may be attached to the center
column to receive an upward vertical pin extending from each pane.
Brackets may extend radially from the center column to receive each
pane.
The panes are removably attached to the center column through, for
example, one or more of the mechanisms described above. For
example, each pane may be placed into position so that it rests
against the center column and the bottom cap to be finally secured
to the center column by placement of the top cap over upwardly
extending pins from the panes. Alternatively, for example where the
top and bottom caps are permanently attached to the center column
or are attached prior to insertion of the panes, the upward
vertical pin may be inserted to the top cap while the pane is
pushed to an upwardmost position with respect the upper cap. The
bottom section of the pane may then be moved toward the center
column until the downward extending pin reaches a hole in the
bottom cap. At this time, the pane may be lowered so that the
bottom pin is received into the hole of the bottom cap, the upward
extending pin being long enough to maintain its position in the
upper cap. Those of ordinary skill in this art should understand
that various other suitable configurations for removably attaching
the panes to the center column may be employed.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification, illustrate various embodiments of the
invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including
the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the
art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to
the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a partial perspective and exploded view of a lighting
fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a partial perspective and cut-away view of a lighting
fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2C is a partial perspective and cut-away view of a lighting
fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective and cut-away and exploded view of a
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective and cut-away and exploded view of a
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a partial perspective and cut-away and exploded view of a
lighting fixture constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 7 is a partial perspective and exploded view of a lighting
fixture constructed in accordance with the present invention;
and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lighting fixture constructed in
accordance with the present invention.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and
drawings is intended to represent same and analogous features or
elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided
by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the
invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that modifications and variations can be made in the present
invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof For
instance, features illustrated or described as part of one
embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still
further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention
covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope
of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present invention is concerned with an improved lighting
fixture. Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates a lighting fixture 10
including a center column 12 having a plurality of vertical panes
14 attached thereto by a bottom cap 16 and an upper cap 18.
Light elements 20 are operatively attached to center column 12 on
bottom cap 16. Energy is provided to the lights by wiring 22
extending through the interior of center column 12. Two lights 20
are illustrated in FIG. 1. It should be understood, however, that
various configurations of lights may be employed. For example one
or more lights may be disposed between each pair of adjacent panes
14.
Bottom cap 16 includes a circumferential rim 24 including notches
26 for receiving bottom edges of panes 14. Notches 26 tend to
prevent rotational movement of panes 14 with respect center column
12. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2B, bottom cap 16
includes grooves 28 for receiving bottom edges of panes 14. In a
preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C, brackets 30 are
provided for the same purpose. It should be understood that other
suitable bottom cap constructions may be employed.
Accordingly, as illustrated in the figures, bottom cap 16
vertically supports each pane, thereby vertically securing the pane
to the center column. The bottom cap may also horizontally secure
the pane to the center column, for example by notches 26, grooves
28 and brackets 30 as shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively.
Additionally, bottom cap 16 may define holes 32 to receive downward
extending pins 34 (FIG. 2A) of panes 14 to prevent undesirable
horizontal movement.
As noted, bottom cap 16 may be constructed in various suitable
configurations. For example, the cap may be a relatively shallow
ring that does not extend substantially beyond the circumference of
center column 12. Alternatively, for example, the bottom cap may
extend relatively far beyond the center column circumference, as
illustrated in the figures, to form a shelf upon which the panes
rest. The bottom cap may include holes to receive pins from the
panes, as shown in FIG. 2A, or pins that are received by
corresponding holes in the panes. For example, the pane 14
illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a hole 35 to receive a corresponding
upward vertical pin 33 on bottom cap 16.
Similarly, upper cap 18 may be constructed in various suitable
manners. Furthermore, while the upper and bottom caps are
preferably separate pieces attached to the center column, it should
be understood that each may be integrally constructed with the
center column.
Referring again to FIG. 2A, each pane 14 may also include an upper
vertical pin 36 for receipt in holes 38 of upper cap 18. Upper cap
18 may include a ring 40 for attachment to a chain or cable so that
fixture 10 may be suspended from a ceiling or other support.
As illustrated in FIG. 2A, pane 14 may be removably attached to
center column 12 by bottom cap 16 and upper cap 18. In the
illustrated configuration, upper pin 36 may be inserted in a hole
38 while the lower portion of pane 14 is brought in toward center
column 12 and down to bottom cap 16 to bring lower pin 34 to the
hole 32 opposite the hole 38 receiving upper pin 36. Pane 14 is
then set down upon bottom cap 16 such that pin 34 is received by
its respective hole 32 and so that the bottom edge of pane 14 is
received by the corresponding notch 26. Upper pin 36 is long enough
to remain received by its respective hole 38 when pane 14 is
secured by the bottom cap. For example, in a preferred embodiment,
pin 36 is a 3/4 inch pin while pin 34 is a 1/4 inch pin.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 3, pane 14 includes an elongated rod
extending along the interior side of the pane to form pins 36 and
34. It should be understood, however, that the pins may be
constructed in a variety of forms and that panes 14 may employ
various suitable constructions. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
3, pane 14 includes a frame 42 bounding pane sections 44 and 46.
The pane sections may be constructed from various materials,
including glass, plastic or metal. Pins 34 and 36 may be integrally
constructed with frame 42 or may be a separate piece or pieces
attached thereto. Furthermore, the entire pane 14 may be unitarily
constructed and may include pins 34 and 36, or other attachment
mechanisms.
Various other attachment mechanisms may be employed with the
present invention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, brackets
48 may be provided on center column 12 to receive panes 14.
Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 1, grooves 50 may be provided
in center column 12 to receive the interior edge of panes 14.
Referring to FIG. 4, a hooked-shaped side pin 50 may be provided on
pane 14 and received in a slot 52 of center column 12. Although not
necessary in this configuration, holes 38 may be provided in cap 18
to permit interchangability of differently constructed panes.
In other preferred embodiments, vertical support of the panes is
provided by the center column 12 alone. For example, as illustrated
in FIG. 6, side pins 50a and 50b may be received in oblong slots
52a and 52b of center column 12 so that the side pins support the
weight of the pane. The pins and the slots are configured so that
the pane may be pushed upwards after insertion of pin 50a to allow
insertion of pin 50b in slot 52b. Pin 50a is long enough so that,
when the pane is released to its sitting position, pin 50a will
remain hooked in slot 52a. On the other hand, pin 50b is short
enough so that it can be inserted into slot 52b when pin 50a is
already inserted in slot 50a.
Lateral support may be provided to a pane 14 attached to center
column 12 in a configuration such as shown in FIG. 6 by mechanisms
included on bottom cap 16, such as notches 26 (FIG. 2A), grooves 28
(FIG. 2B) or brackets 30 (FIG. 2C). Alternatively, or additionally,
lateral support may be provided by brackets such as brackets 48
(FIG. 3) attached to the center column. In the latter type of
construction, or other constructions where the pane is supported by
the center column, bottom cap 16 may be omitted.
Panes 14 may be constructed in various shapes, for example for
decorative reasons. FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary panes 14 having
multiple lights 20 disposed between each pair of adjacent panes.
FIG. 8 illustrates panes 14 having an open wrought iron pattern
without intervening glass or plastic.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described
above, it is to be understood that any and all equivalent
realizations of the present invention are included within the scope
and spirit thereof Thus, the embodiments depicted are presented by
way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the
present invention, and those of ordinary skill in this art should
understand that many modifications may be made. Therefore, it is
contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the
present invention as may fall within the literal or equivalent
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *